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Private dental care

Private dental care is available to everyone, you don’t need to have insurance, there’s no membership or contract involved. As a private patient, it merely means you get access to a greater suite of treatments, such as teeth whitening, white fillings for cosmetic reasons, dental implants, etc… Your consultations are longer and typically you can choose more flexible appointment times, such as evenings and weekends. You simply pay for the treatment you have, when you have it.

Private dental care is all about choice. You choose to pay full price for your treatments in exchange for a wide range of benefits and services you can’t get on the NHS. So, whether you’re looking for ongoing services like check-ups and general dentistry, or a one-off treatment such as adult teeth straightening, we’ll be delighted to see you.

What’s the difference between private and NHS dental care?

Private dentistry

You can choose any treatment offered by a private practice, as long as your dentist says it’s suitable for you.

Private patients pay full price for their treatments, and charges vary between dental practices. You don’t need Bupa insurance to be treated by us.

Private practices are usually able to take on new patients.

NHS dentistry

Only essential treatments are available on the NHS, so you’re not covered for cosmetic services. You’ll need to be seen privately for these.

NHS treatment prices are fixed, and are either subsidised by the government or free of charge for mum’s to be, new mums and children under 18 or 19 in full-time education.

Not every dental practice in the UK accepts NHS patients, and even those that do may sometimes have to pause their books. Each practice has a government contract, which restricts the amount of NHS patients that can be registered.

What dental treatments are only available privately?

There are some treatments that you can only access on a private basis. NHS dental care provides you with the treatment you need to keep your mouth healthy; it basically includes essential services. However, private dental care gives you access to a host of treatments and services, including:

Cosmetic orthodontics: Treatment that is not clinically required, but you want it for aesthetic reasons.

Dental implants: A long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, by surgically placing a titanium implant into the jawbone, which supports a crown or denture.

Teeth whitening: A dental professional will oversee your teeth whitening treatment to ensure it is safe and effective.

It’s easy. You simply register as a private patient at one of our 350+ private Bupa Dental Care practices around the UK and access all the benefits of being a private patient.

Or, if you’re looking for specialist or high-end dental care in a more chic environment, you could join one of our Platinum Practices.

If you’re one of our NHS patients, you can choose to pay privately for treatments which the NHS doesn’t cover. Just talk to your dentist for more information.

You could opt to become a Bupa Dental Essentials patient, this is a fixed-price alternative level of care between NHS and full private. Again, there’s no membership or insurance required, you just pay for the treatment you have, when you have it.

What’s the cost of private dental care?

Private dental charges vary, so it’s always best to check with the practice. All Bupa Dental Care practices publish their prices on this website. Just as an example, the average cost of a private check-up across all of our practices is £50.012. You’ll pay after you’ve had your treatment, although some of our practices offer finance options. Finance can be particularly helpful if you’re having more substantial treatment, such as implants. Speak to your practice for specific details.

What about children’s private dental care?

Although all children are entitled to free dental care on the NHS, some families prefer to have the whole family treated privately. This may be for the benefits listed above or to have parents and children treated at the same practice. Check-ups for under 5’s are free as a Bupa Dental Essentials patient.

Find a private Bupa Dental Care dentist near you

1 Source: LaingBuisson, Dentistry UK Market Report, 5th ed. If you require verification please email marketing@bupadentalcare.co.uk.2 Average price stated for a private check-up is based on published prices at 324 Bupa Dental Care practices as at March 2019.